#Me!

No, this post is not really about ME! It is about my experiences with the various types of managers (leaders would be a stretch) that exhibit traits that are just not good.

• All about me types. These folks that only talk about themselves when it comes to doing or getting stuff done.
• Fat head types. These folks like to think that they are the smartest person in the room at all times. They spend a great deal of time making sure that they express how smart they are.
• Don’t rock the boat types. These folks are afraid to make change. They want everything to stay in calm waters.

Which types have you encountered?

What happens when a person has more than one of these traits going for them? The work becomes a living nightmare. Take a person that spend a great deal of time with the “I” or “me” in their sentence when they are talking to you. Normally, but not always, they usually are also a fat head type. They truly “know” better than everyone else. The organization struggles with being a team because they are being asked to be a team, but not allowed to be a team. Could a don’t rock the boat type be added so you have all three traits? Probably. I have yet to meet that person.

What do you do? Run? Stay and work through it? Working through it, is a tough act. What do you do?

• Build the team from the bottom up. Start to provide the buffer for those traits that are hindering the organization from moving forward. Leadership does not have to come from the very top. Leadership can and should come from anywhere.
• Start small and grow. Make sure to take small steps to providing the team with what they are asking for and needing to be successful. Ask questions and really listen to them. Take on those items that under your control and demonstrate change. Maybe those positive results will stick.
• Results should speak louder. Make sure to share the successes and ask for help on the difficult items. Do this with your team first and then manage upward.

Does this always work? No! Sometimes those traits are very overpowering. They start to see that there is someone who walks and talks the “team” or worst yet, they see that their way is being changed.

What have you done or what would you do if you come across these traits in your manager?

The best advice is to be self-aware and if you see yourself heading toward those traits – “STOP and READJUST” – you are heading to the dark side.

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